I don't think Sema is a poor player, but he 'lost a yard of pace' after that long injury a season and a half ago. As a rule of thumb players in the lower divisions operate at a slower pace. Sema's best bet would probably be to see out his contract here and then move down (for no fee) to a first or second division club. Operating on the left as a winger/wing back, as long as he can get his right shoulder past the defender he would have all the the strength and skills to create problems. He could also drop to being an out and out left back - he has demonstrated plenty of understanding of the game of football.
He’s a poor player relative to his wage. Poor use of wage budget if you prefer. I personally think he’s miles below standard now - I can’t remember the last time he had a good game in a league game!
Yep. Growing old is a sad business, is it not? We don't disagree, do we? Just different perspectives.
Sadly I don't think Sema had a yard of pace to lose, previously in the Champ his other qualities made up for that.
I meant the important players such as Giorgi but get what you're saying about the other three you mention although I would still be surprised to see any of them go in January. Sema and Sierralta I imagine would leave in the summer. Jebbison going back is a plus even if we don't replace him. I would rather use Doumbia
Agreed. I guess there’s an outside chance that some clubs somewhere might be desperate to add players come January and might offer us an amount for a player that we’d rather not sell but see as replaceable - I’m thinking Kayembe, Andrews…maybe even Louza now. I don’t think it’s likely but you never know. It wouldn’t hugely shock me to see interest in Kayembe at a slightly inflated price. I think Pollock and Giorgi would be the only 2 deemed close to untouchable in January.
Kayembe I don't feel would be a massive loss but I hope we keep Louza as do feel we are a more complete team with him playing. I know you keep your ear to the ground but are there plans for Jan as far as you know? Would love to see a midfielder come in and obviously a striker. Another centre back would be useful but probably unlikely
I don’t know of anything specific… All the murmurings are of a holding midfielder and striker - I suspect the latter depends wholly on what happens with Jebbison. I’d be surprised if TC wants to do too much in January and he’ll likely be pretty happy with what he’s got and won’t want to upset the current equilibrium of what he’s started. Couple of people have told me TC has been given a choice out of a couple of strikers in January but I haven’t been able to verify it. And I’ve heard second/third hand of some supposed exciting summer plans but again, can’t verify.
I'm not sure TC should be allowed to pick the striker given Jebbison . I get the impression they frequently have "exciting plans" but the more exciting, the more competition, the more likely we can't achieve those plans given our financial position.
I rather like Kayembe. He comes and goes during a match, I suppose, but at his best he has a good left foot. He's poor with his right foot, but I don't think he is always played in his best positions.
Just a final thought on Sema & Sierralta, i'm not saying they are in my first choice 11, but I feel both are good options to have in the squad (it's a squad game as the saying goes!) and I would like them to stay for the season. As discussed, Semma is out of contract and I feel we would get takers, particularly abroad, for Sierralta in the summer.
On the latter part, it was said that we have already signed a couple of very exciting young players. So if it’s true (I don’t know if it is or not, at least not yet), then finances and competition would be moot as they’d already be done.
Bear in mind, both were available last summer (along with Rajovic, Bayo and Louza) and only one of those has gone (on loan). I’m not sure the list of admirers is out there for Sema or Sierralta.
I suspect the holding midfielder will be us going in for Hector Kyprianou again as that seems to be a long-term club target rather than a coach one.
Oh I don’t doubt that - but I was told Sheff Utd are very keen on him and are probably ahead of us in any race for his signature. And that’s before we get into MacAnthony as an owner - I can see him gambling on keeping him and losing him for free in the hope they can squeak into the playoffs. We won’t be offering a huge amount of cash for someone who is out of contract - and he may well want to sit tight for 6 months and get a better wage in the summer (and likely more options)
Yeah we won’t beat a likely Prem team but again, a bit like Al-Hamadi, why join a team nailed on for promotion when you’re not ready for that level yet? You’ll just be back down on loan or getting 5 minutes off the bench.
Sheff Utd also have Harrison Burrows (ex-P’boro) who I suspect would be in his ear selling the move too!
